Kevin Collins (musician)

Kevin Collins is a professional entertainer, musician and record producer in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He has released 21 Irish/Newfoundland, Country, Gospel, and Christmas Albums, as well as 2 DVD's. He also owns and operates Sawyer Hill Productions.

He was spotlighted on a CBC national telecast, "Country Sessions: in 1980. He was also featured in a CBC music documentary while in Nashville, TN in 1992. In 1992, Collins was voted by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador as "Best Solo Artist" in Newfoundland and Labrador. In 1993, Collins was the "opening act" for country artist, Michelle Wright. In 1994, Collins recorded his second country album entitled, "Follow The Wind" in Nashville, TN with Grammy Award winner Al Delorey. This album earned him a nomination as "Best Country Artist" at the East Coast Music Awards. In 1996, Collins once again traveled to Nashville, TN, where he completed his sixth CD. This new country CD was entitled, "Wildfire". He toured across Canada from 1994 to 1998. Collins' country CD, "Jump In And Swim" has been named "CD of the Month" (February 2005) in Country Music Roundup Magazine in Britain. His music is now being played on radio stations throughout Europe.

Early years

Kevin started singing at the age of six, and started publicly performing at age 13.

Spending the majority of his childhood days at his grandmothers house, Kevin learned to have great respect for his grandmother and seniors. One of Kevin's releases entitled, "My Old Homestead" was lovingly dedicated to his grandmother! On a trip to Boston, with his grandmother, eight-year-old Kevin, performed on stage with Leroy Van Dyke and received a standing ovation.

Kevin is very proud of the fact that his grandfather, Charles Collins, a resident of Bond's Path, Placentia was a mail-carrier for 29 years. Charles Collins delivered mail from Placentia to Patrick's Cove on the Cape Shore by horse and buggy for a distance of 15 miles year ‘round for 29 years. He later worked in the lumber woods for the remainder of his life until his death at age 55. He left behind a wife and 12 children. A story is often told of how a visitor once said to Mrs. Agnes Collins that she should put some of her children in an orphanage, if she was to survive, but her exact reply was, "if this ship sinks, I will go down with her", this quote has turned up in a well-known song which Kevin wrote entitled, "Long Gone Are The Days". Mrs. Agnes Collins played a very important part in the life of Kevin Collins.

Tony Collins, his father, sang country music for 25 years. He died on July l, 1990 of a major heart-attack.. Being from a family of four brothers and one sister, all having great musical abilities. Kevin's mom, Margaret (Downey) Collins, Colinet, NF, though not noted for her musical abilities, provides many mouth-watering meals to give her crowd the energy to sing and play.

Kevin married Roseanne (Pomeroy) Collins from Great Paradise, Placentia Bay, Newfoundland on 17 March 1984. Roseanne's family resettled to Placentia under the "resettlement program" in 1967. Not finding work in their new environment, many families returned to the places they left to once again earn their living from the Newfoundland fishery, Roseanne's mom, Patricia Browne, Pomeroy, and dad being one of those families. Unfortunately, on 19 April. 1984 Roseanne's dad, Loyola Pomeroy, drowned while setting lobster pots.

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The Ireland Connection

Taken from "The Irish in Newfoundland" by Mike McCarthy: John Skerry, who had been brought out from Ireland by the Placentia firm Sweetman in 1768, and fished 34 years in the area, petitioned in 1802 for land in Ship Cove, ten miles down the Cape Shore. He received a grant to the land he required. All inhabitants of Ship Cove are said to be descendants of this original settler. The Irish on the Cape Shore came mainly from Wexford, Waterford and Tipperary.

Kevin's grandmother was Agnes Tobin from Ship Cove, Placentia Bay, her parents originating from Blackwater, Co. Wexford, Ireland. Kevin's great-grandfather Samuel Collins came from Waterford, Ireland. Kevin's wife, Roseanne's family originates from Kilkenny, Ireland. (Browne)

In May 2003 Kevin made his first voyage to Ireland and he was not disappointed. Ireland and her people were everything that Kevin had hoped they would be. Kevin promoted his music and "Newfoundland" everywhere he went, and was promptly invited back to Ireland the following years to do a series of shows. In February 2004 Kevin once again traveled to Ireland, this time performing his music. Many radio stations in Ireland are now playing Kevin's music and a number of Irish artists have even recorded some of Kevin's songs.

Kevin's country cd, "Jump In And Swim" has been named "Cd of the Month" (February 2005) in Country Music Roundup Magazine in Britain.

Kevin and Roseanne continue to play their part in keeping Newfoundland alive in the hearts and lives of everyone they meet. They both count it a privilege to live and work in Newfoundland, and enjoy its rich heritage and culture. They feel that a great price has been paid by our very courageous ancestors, and feel very proud, as descendants, that they can enjoy the rich heritage that we now possess. Newfoundland and its people have been a very treasured part of the Collins' life and they continue to sing the praises of Newfoundland everywhere they go.

Kevin has released 24 cd's and 2 DVD's. Kevin released his 24th album, his second Christmas Cd, Christmas Back Home in November 2016. This brings Kevin close to the historic accomplishment of having released the most albums in Canada by a Newfoundland recording artist. Both Kevin and the late Harry Hibbs have released 26 albums.

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The Accomplishments

"Sawyer Hill Productions", a 32 track digital recording studio owned and operated by Kevin Collins is making its own mark in the music history of Newfoundland. This studio has been recently up-dated with state-of-the-art digital equipment that boasts wonderful production quality. Kevin has been extremely busy recording other artists as well as completing his own releases. Duplication services are also available for CD's and DVD's at Sawyer Hill Productions

• Being spotlighted on a CBC national telecast, "Country Sessions: in 1980

• Was featured in a CBC music documentary while in Nashville, TN in 1992. Kevin met such stars as: Vince Gill, Reba McIntyre, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Doug Stone, The Kentucky Headhunters, Marie Osmond, Billy Walker, Jack Greene, Kitty Wells, Roy Acuff, Stonewall Jackson, Conway Twitty, and many more.

• In 1992, Kevin obtained the honor of being voted by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador as "Best Solo Artist" in Newfoundland and Labrador.

• In 1993, Kevin has the pleasure of being the "opening act" for Canada's number one female country artist, Michelle Wright.

• In 1994, Kevin recorded his second country album entitled, "Follow The Wind" in Nashville, TN with Grammy Award winner Al Delorey. This album gained him a nomination as "Best Country Artist" at the East Coast Music Awards.

• In 1996, Kevin once again traveled to Nashville, TN, where he completed his sixth CD. This new country CD was entitled, "Wildfire". Kevin had some of the best musicians and Grammy Award winners in Nashville help him out on this project. Brent Mason on guitar, Sonny Garrish on steel, Rob Hajacos on fiddle and Terry McMillan on percussion. These musicians have also backed such stars as: Alan Jackson, Sammy Kershaw, George Strait, Vince Gill and many other top entertainers.

• Kevin toured Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia from 1994 to 1998.

• Kevin's music is now being played on radio stations throughout Europe.

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RECENT EVENTS • An East Coast Music Award nomination as "Country Artist of the Year"2006

• Featured on CBC's – Land and Sea on 30 January 2006

• Kevin released his first DVD, "From An Island to An Island" filmed in Ireland and featuring 10 songs, as well as interviews, scenery and locals.

• Kevin wins "Songwriter of the Year" at The Country and Irish Music Magazine Award Show in Kildare, Ireland in 2005, for his contribution to Irish music.

• Kevin's country cd, "Jump In And Swim" has been named "Cd of the Month" (February 2005) in Country Music Roundup Magazine in Britain.

• Kevin has been nominated for "Best Country Artist" at 2004 East Coast Music Awards.

• Kevin released his first international CD entitled, "From An Island To An Island" in Ireland in August 2004. He performed in various places in Ireland in the spring of 2004.

• Kevin was presented "Best Country Artist" and "Best Gospel Artist" awards at the recent the 2001 Music Industry Association Awards. Kevin also performed at the gala event.

Kevin's motto is, " Newfoundland is a place where hospitality and friendship is NOT a business but a way of life". He believes in playing his part to make this world a better place to live, and plans on giving life is best!

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Sawyer Hill Productions

Collins owns and operates Sawyer Hill Productions, a 32 track digital recording studio. This studio has been recently up-dated with state-of-the-art digital equipment that boasts wonderful production quality. It has been extremely busy recording other artists as well as completing Collins' own releases. Duplication services are also available for CD's and DVD's.^[1]

Discography

      Cd's

My Old Homestead (1988) Long Ago And Far Away Heart Broken Heart Hills of Home Irish Newfoundland Favorites Follow The Wind Wild Fire Farside Banks Of Jordan Jump in & Swim Long Gone are the Days This is My Home The Photograph The Collection Just Call My Name Merry Christmas from Home Home Again 100% Irish Irish Music Collection Forever And A Day

       DVD's

From An Island To An Island Volume One-Filmed On Location In Ireland Full Circle From An Island To An Island Volume 2-Filmed On Location In Newfoundland, Canada

References